For Katrin Krabbe, 1992 has been a steady succession of good-bad-good news swings.

She started the season on top of the world as double WC sprint champion. Then she was implicated in a false-urine sample case. She was cleared of that on technical grounds, but then was nailed for taking Clenbuterol, and subsequently lost her sponsorship support.

November has brought her another ray of hope, however, as the case against Clenbuterol (T&FN, October) has apparently been weakened.

Two British weightlifters were sent home from Barcelona when they tested positive for the substance, a stimulant which has been used to treat asthma, but also acts as a bulking agent in cattle. The IAAF treats it as a steroid, which demands a 4-year penalty for use.

But the two Britons have been let off by their federation, largely on the testimony of Dr. Arnold Beckett, a member of the IOC's medical commission. Beckett, one of the early leaders in the testing movement, has been known for his strict opposition to drug abuse.

Nonetheless, Beckett contended that Clenbuterol is not a steroid, and noted that at the time of Krabbe's suspension it was not on the international steroid list (although the USOC had already listed it on its hot-line in the U.S.). "She shouldn't be accused of doping," he said.

Krabbe's lawyers also say they have medical testimony that Clenbuterol's classification as a steroid is a mistake.

Krabbe and training mates Silke Moller and Grit Breuer have never denied taking the substance, claiming she thought it was completely legal.

Obviously watching the case closely is American hammer thrower Jud Logan, who was stripped of his Barcelona 4th after he tested positive for Clenbuterol.